Manic Depressive Disorder – Therapy and Symptoms

Manic-depressives suffer from violent mood swings. These mood swings can be quite extreme from very elated and extremely happy (mania) to very low states of sadness. Sufferers of this type of depression often experience both states but some just experience going into the low or very depressed mood. Those who suffer from this condition are likely to suffer depression that can be extremely severe. There is another name for this condition, which is Bipolar Affective Disorder. It affects approximately one person in a hundred at some point in their lifetime, and sufferers include teenagers as well as adults. If you suspect you are suffering from this kind of mood disorder then please go see a doctor because it can be a serious condition and you will most probably need professional support and treatment and therapy.

Do You Suffer From Manic Depressive Disorder?

Your depression will be much worse than most people’s if yours is manic. Typical depression symptoms will affect your way of thinking and your ability to cope with daily problems in life. Day to day tasks can become much more difficult and your ability to make good decisions may be affected negatively. Your symptoms will include extreme moods which may last for varying periods of time, ranging from days to weeks. Extreme mood swings range from great happiness and elation, referred to as mania, to full depression. As your mood changes you will also experience a variation in your energy levels. At the mania end of the scale you will have a lot of energy, but while in a low mood, your energy will be much much less. The severity of these episodes can change. These mood swings obviously not only cause problems for the sufferer, but for anyone close to them. The extreme feelings can also cause unbalanced thinking and a confused sense of reality. It is easy to understand just how damaging this disorder can be to normal daily life.

It is believed, though not proven, that Bipolar Depression may be genetic. It needs to be treated as it can be serious if ignored. Many sufferers need to spend time in hospital at some point as a result of this disorder.

Bipolar Depression Disorder – Common Emotional Symptoms:

• Lack of interest or a feeling of apathy
• Feeling exhausted or tired
• Feeling of anxiety, worry or stress
• Lack of self-confidence
• Constant unhappiness and sadness
• Lacking hope and feeling inadequate
• Having no joy or enthusiasm for life
• Indecisiveness and confusion
• Wanting to cry
• Feeling irritable
• Very low self esteem
• Suicidal feelings
• Feeling there is no future
• Feelings of insecurity
• Aggressive behaviour towards others

Common Physical Symptoms

• Losing weight
• Poor appetite
• Difficulty sleeping at night
• Waking up early or during the night
• Stomach problems
• Crying excessively
• Lacking in energy

Warning: if you are suffering from moderate levels of depression always seek help and support from a doctor first – friends are a great help too, please don’t fight it on your own, there is no need! If you would like some quick advice, and if you think that talking to a professional counselor or therapy would help you, please try online counseling to discover what you should do next.

Facts about Manic depression/ Bipolar Depression

• In the USA almost 3% suffer from this
• Suicide is often a problem, especially during the depressive part of the mood cycle
• Many sufferers can cope with a combination of therapy and medication and can lead positive and satisfying lives, so there is hope if you seek help!

Where Does Manic Depression Come From and What Should You Do?

Mostly this illness seems to be genetic and runs in families. Its source may lie in the brain and the disorder creates or makes worse an inability to control moods. Medication can definitely help. Stress may be one of the most likely causes of these mood swings. Medication can help calm you and ease your stress which will allow you to address the problem itself in a normal state.

Depression sufferer? Should you be unfortunate enough to suffer you must see a doctor and seek psychological help. Failure to seek help can lead to suicide, so the most important factor in any treatment of manic depression is the sufferer’s acceptance of some form of counseling and/ or medication. Online therapy for mania (Bipolar Depressive Disorder) is also highly recommended.

Psychologists can provide support, education, coping skills training, monitor symptoms and give encouragement to continue medical treatment. The psychiatrist monitors the medication that is necessary.

Most people with this depressive illness can be helped with treatment but you have to be diagnosed correctly first.

Recommended Treatment of Manic-Depression

The standard treatment combines medication and therapy sessions. Firstly, the medication is normally in the form of drugs that stabilize the extreme mood swings experienced by the sufferer. Some experts also advise the use of an antidepressant if the mood stabilizing medication is not enough. When the moods are normalized therapy can be more effective at addressing the issues behind the depression if there are any.

The mood medication should help the sufferer become more sociable and calm. Some people think that it also will make them drowsy. This may only be true at the start and now most of these treatments are more advanced so that once your body gets used to the drug, there is usually no side effect. So if you need medication, don’t worry too much!!

Discover more about depression symptoms – click here

Recommended Reading

#1 An Unquiet Mind – a great book about depression, a remarkable personal testimony: the revelation of her own struggle since adolescence

#2 Surviving Manic Depression: A Manual on Bipolar Disorder for Patients, Families, and Providers